The Proteas top order built to conquer anywhere

The 2012 Proteas combined experience, technical quality and adaptability in a batting order equipped to succeed against any attack and in any conditions.

South Africa’s 2012 Test batting line-up remains the strongest the country has fielded in the modern era.

Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers formed its core.

At their respective peaks, all four had a credible claim to being the best Test batter in the world in their position. Smith set the standard among openers, Amla became the leading No 3, Kallis was unmatched at No 4 and De Villiers brought rare versatility to No 5. Few teams have fielded four successive batters of that standing.

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Smith provided the resistance at the top. His technique was unconventional, but few opening batters were better equipped to absorb the new ball or impose themselves on fast bowling. He also led a side expected to win away from home.

The defining performance came against England at The Oval. After the hosts made 385, South Africa declared on 637-2 as Smith scored 131, Amla compiled an unbeaten 311 and Kallis finished on 182 not out. England lost by an innings and 12 runs, with only two South African wickets falling in the match.

The supporting cast gave the order balance. Alviro Petersen performed the demanding role of opening alongside Smith, while Jacques Rudolph and JP Duminy provided left-handed options lower down. De Villiers also took the wicketkeeping gloves after Mark Boucher’s career-ending eye injury, allowing South Africa to retain an extra batter.

Faf du Plessis then strengthened the group during the tour of Australia. On Test debut in Adelaide, he made 78 in the first innings and batted for 376 balls for an unbeaten 110 in the second, rescuing a draw that kept the series level.

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South Africa showed another side of their batting in Perth. Bowled out for 225 in the first innings, they responded with 569 as Smith made 84, Amla 196 and De Villiers 169. The 309-run victory secured the series and confirmed their status as the world’s leading Test side.

The 1969-70 team has a powerful claim of its own. Barry Richards scored 508 runs at 72.57 and Graeme Pollock made 517 at 73.85 as South Africa swept Australia 4-0. Sporting isolation, however, prevented that line-up from proving itself over a longer period or in a wider range of conditions.

The 2012 side provided that evidence. It could dominate, recover from a collapse or bat for survival, and it did so in England and Australia during one of South African cricket’s greatest years.

Other Proteas teams have possessed outstanding batters. None has produced a more complete and proven top order than the one built around Smith, Amla, Kallis and De Villiers.

Photo: Luke Walker / Gallo Images

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